SHIP - Health Insurance Counseling
Counsels. Bridges. Educates.
Confused about health insurance?
CVAA offers free, confidential health insurance counseling to current or potential Medicare beneficiaries through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). SHIP counselors are available to helpseniors and their families settle complicated insurance issues.
SHIP helps you navigate issues with:
- Medicare Part A Hospital Coverage
- Medicare Part B Medical Coverage
- Medicare Part D Prescription Coverage
- Medicare Supplement Insurance
- Medicare Advantage Plans
- Employer Group Health Plans
- Federal and State Assistance Programs
Medicare Workshops
CVAA SHIP Counselors are providing free informational workshops to assist seniors navigating the Medicare System. There are three different workshops.
New to Medicare? +
- Medicare Part A Hospital Coverage
- Medicare Part B Medical Coverage
- Medicare Part D Prescription Coverage
- Medicare Supplement Insurance
- Medicare Advantage Plans
- Employer Group Health Plans
- Federal and State Assistance Programs
Download our New to Medicare Checklist to assist you in getting started.
Understanding Medicare Supplemental Insurance +
Learn how to select a supplemental plan. This is an open forum for questions such as:
- What are the available supplemental plans in VT?
- What do they cover?
- How much do they cost?
- What are my resources for help?
- How do I enroll ?
Understanding Medicare Part D +
Learn how to select a prescription drug plan. This is an open forum for questions such as:
- What are the available drug plans in VT?
- What is the donut hole?
- Am I eligible for state or federal assistance?
- What are my resources for help?
- What is AEP?
Download our Medicare Part D Worksheet
Read about How the SHIP Program can help you save money
These workshops are available January through September and a current schedule is available in the calendar.
Registration for these sessions is required and space is limited!
To register please call
1-800-642-5119 or (802) 865-0360
Location: CVAA Conference Room, 76 Pearl Street, Suite 201, Essex Jct.(2nd floor over the Essex Junction Post Office entrance to the right of the Post Office opposite Kinney Drugs.)
What do SHIP Counselors do? +
- Advocate impartially for health care issues.
- Answer questions about health insurance.
- Compare Medicare prescription drug plans.
- Help individuals to understand and/or resolve billing issues.
- Facilitate communication between health care organizations.
- Provide information on state and federal health insurance programs.
- Review Employer Group Health Plan options.
- Connect people with appropriate insurance resources.
Medicare Fraud, Abuse or Error +
Help us stop Healthcare fraud, abuse and error
If you have any questions or concerns about health insurance business practices, scams, or potential fraud, contact:
- CVAA Senior Helpline at 1 800 642 5119
- Medicare at 1 800 633 4227
Here are some additional resources:
Additional Resources: +
- Medicare and the New Health Care Law - information from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- Paying for Prescriptions - Compiled by our SHIP Counselors
- Centersfor Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Office of Vermont Health Access (OVHA)
- Department of Banking, Insurance,Securities and Health Care (BISHCA)
- Social Security Administration
- Medicare Rights Center
- Medicare Error, Fraud and Abuse (VMPP)
- National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information
- National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment
To learn more about the Senior Health Insurance Program, please call our Senior HelpLine at 1-800-642-5119 or email us at info@cvaa.org.
Download our New to Medicare Checklist
Download our Medicare Part D Worksheet
Download our SHIP brochure
